Almost 48 years since its opening, the mini golf course that has hosted more than five million visitors will close on Sunday to make way for new housing.

"I used to go to a church youth group on Friday nights," Mr Wilkes said. "We've been taking the kids here since they could pick up a golf club and they were desperate to come again when they saw the closing-down sign."

His eight-year old son, Nathan, was already mourning the loss: "It's going to sacrifice a fun golf course for apartments".

Owner Tom Wykoff shared the pain but was cheered by the big turnout and the thousands of letters he had received: "There are so many stories that have been made here, from first dates and happy family moments - it means a lot to a lot of people."

Mr Wykoff's daughter, Josie Harris, said the closure was "very surreal - it's heart breaking".

"I know you're sad, probably as sad as we are, but thank you for supporting us all these years," she said.

The site of the Victoria Road course was sold by Parramatta Council to Chinese developer Aqualand in August 2014 for $130 million, with a plan to build 1000 apartments.

The site was resold to development company Payce for $160 million. Its plans, which are yet to be made public, are subject to approval by the Sydney West Central Planning Panel.

Attempts to relocate the putt putt course in Parramatta and Ryde municipalities have proved fruitless. The animal figures that adorn the Waterways and Jungle Run courses have been sold to another mini-golf course in Newcastle.

Mr Wykoff told Fairfax Media earlier this year that staff would be transferred to Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast, where he owns another putt putt course.

With Kathryn Wicks